JillyBeans

I was given a gift of $10k for Christmas under the condition it be used only for school. I decided I would use part to pay for a summer study abroad program, part for a bar review course, and whatever's left to help with books.

The money for the study abroad program is due as follows: 300 with the application in march, about 1,500 for the airfare sometime in march or April, 80 for a visa in march or April, 4200 for tuition in June, and about 1000 for expenses while I'm there in July.

The bar review course is 3,254 and will not be due until may 2014.

I thought it best to put the bar review into a CD for now, and the rest into a checking or savings account. However, I may be able to obtain a 1000 dollar scholarship for the trip, or for the course, or for both, so I may not need it all and would be able to use it for books. What is the best thing I should do?

I'm living off student loans and I pretty much only have $100 to get me through today till when my next loan disbursement comes the first week of Jan. So I really don't have money to get anything for my boyfriend for Christmas.

I know he doesn't care, but last year he spent 200-300 dollars on my gifts and will probably do similarly this year. He understands that I'm broke so it's not that he will be disappointed, but you know how it is when you get someone something they love and you see their face when they open it... Well it would make me very happy.

So I need creative ideas for gifts. He mentioned a year ago that he wanted a travel mug for tea, so I bought a personalizable one that I will personalize with pictures of his cat and star wars and stuff.

He likes when I make him things. I started to crochet a blanket but there's no way I will finish before Christmas with all these finals. So I just need some creative ideas. He's 31, and he likes nerdy stuff like Star Wars and D&D and video games.

Thursday my sister brought over her boyfriend's cat to watch over for a few months. The cat is a two year old female, who lived with two male cats. Supposedly she was very cuddly and loved attention in her old home.

She has been under the bed since she came over, so for four days straight. I've seen her come out to eat very briefly a few times, and she is using the litter box. Also last night during the night she came out and sat by the window and looked out.

I try to go under there to pet her and she likes the pets. I have another cat, but they don't seem to have problems with each other (no hissing or growling). I forced her to come out once but she just ran back under there. I feel so bad for the poor thing. I've tried to coax her out with treats and toys, but no luck.

Will she be ok? How can I make her feel more comfortable?

I'm living off student loans and I pretty much only have $100 to get me through today till when my next loan disbursement comes the first week of Jan. So I really don't have money to get anything for my boyfriend for Christmas.

I know he doesn't care, but last year he spent 200-300 dollars on my gifts and will probably do similarly this year. He understands that I'm broke so it's not that he will be disappointed, but you know how it is when you get someone something they love and you see their face when they open it... Well it would make me very happy.

So I need creative ideas for gifts. He mentioned a year ago that he wanted a travel mug for tea, so I bought a personalizable one that I will personalize with pictures of his cat and star wars and stuff.

He likes when I make him things. I started to crochet a blanket but there's no way I will finish before Christmas with all these finals. So I just need some creative ideas.

I have one cat. I'm gone at school most of the day but I spend time with her when I'm home. I can't afford another cat so I hope she is happy by herself.

Do all cats get lonely and need friends?

She lived with another cat for about 3 months and didn't really act different. Once in a while she played with him but he was usually mean to her.

Hi

I'm in law school, and I've borrowed up to the regular 20k allowed without a credit check from the government. I want to study abroad this summer though, so I want to borrow 7k from the grad plus loan program.

I looked up the requirements. It says "You are considered to have an adverse credit history if you are 90 or more days delinquent on any debt or if, within 5 years of the date of the credit report, you have been the subject of a default determination, bankruptcy discharge, foreclosure, repossession, tax lien, wage garnishment, or writeoff of a Federal Student Aid debt"

I forgot to pay an electric bill after I moved and it went to collections... does anyone have any experience on this?

Hi

I'm in law school, and I've borrowed up to the regular 20k allowed without a credit check from the government. I want to study abroad this summer though, so I want to borrow 7k from the grad plus loan program.

I looked up the requirements. It says "You are considered to have an adverse credit history if you are 90 or more days delinquent on any debt or if, within 5 years of the date of the credit report, you have been the subject of a default determination, bankruptcy discharge, foreclosure, repossession, tax lien, wage garnishment, or writeoff of a Federal Student Aid debt"

I forgot to pay an electric bill after I moved and it went to collections... does anyone have any experience on this?

I'm in my mid twenties, and I had some problems with acne when I was younger, but nothing too severe. Through college it got better and I went a couple years being almost completely clear. Towards the beginning of June, however, I developed bad pimples - not blackheads, but actual pimples - on both sides of my chin.

I tried using my clinique system that always helped my acne in college, but that didn't help. I tried the Philosophy skin care system, and my mom gave me a prescription strength gel. Each time it looked like it was getting better, but more acne would just pop up.

I've started eating healthier, exercising, drinking more water - nothing. The ones that go away are just replaced with new ones. I have an appointment with the dermatologist but it's a month away. Is there anything I can do in the meantime?

My boyfriend was planning a trip to Vegas with his friends, but his boss cancelled his vacation time so he's bummed. What kinds of things can I do to bring Vegas to home? He loves gambling and scotch.

At Christmas time ill have been dating my boyfriend for about ten months, more seriously for about 3 or 4. How much do I spend? Id like to get one larger thing and a couple little things, but do I hold back since we haven't been together long, or spend more to impress him? How much do you spend? Should I just ask him what he's expecting?

I've been seeing this guy and we're both trying to get into shape for summer, I bet him I could lose 15 pounds first but we can't decide what the stakes should be. Not money, but something fun...

They say you need to have a 3500 calorie to burn a pound, and you're supposed to burn 1-2 pounds a week. Well I calculated it and at my weight I'm only supposed to have about 1500 calories a day before exercise to stay where I am now. If I spend an hour doing cardio I only burn about 300 calories, so if I do that every day that's only 2100 calories a week, which means more needs to come off of my food. I feel like 1500 calories is barely anything, I eat two healthy meals and I've blown through it all. And if I did lose weight the 1500 number would be even less. How do people survive on less than 1100 a day?!??!?! How?

By finding out how many calories you would burn if you just stay in bed all day (Basal Metabolic Rate) and then eating only that many calories per day?

Obviously it's better if you work out too, which I do. But assuming I didn't, would I still be able to lose weight that way, or do I need to eat less than my BMR?

on a hairdryer... I mean it's obvious how it works but what does it actually do for your hair?

I'm going to the spa tomorrow for a pedicure, facial, and massage. What should I wear, should I just wear sweat pants and a t shirt? And how much do I tip?

I just got an awesome new Keurig coffee maker for Christmas! Where is the best place to get the cups? I'm not into the hot chocolate and I make tea from looseleaf tea so I'm not really interested in the teas, mostly just the coffee. Where is the cheapest place to get them, and which kind would you recommend?

I'm on my feet all day in heels and after a few days in a row they really start to hurt. I use a minty cream for them that makes them feel a little better, but what else can I do?